Questions on Holly Hocks

[Mackay]

Ive been planting holly hocks for several years. The ones I planted two years ago bloomed last year. Now I see abundant green leaves on them again this year, their 3rd year, when i thought that they were suppose to die and not return this year at all. Are they going to bloom again or should I just dig them up and toss them?

 

[journey11]

They are supposed to be biennial, but I have had many over the years that lasted longer than that. As long as they look healthy and vigorous, I would leave them to bloom again.

 

[Gardening with Rabbits]

They are a perennial. but short lived or so I read, but I have some that are 3 years old or more. I can't tell because I have so many and they reseed. I have some that I planted in the spring and they do not bloom until the next year and then I have a variety that if I plant this spring they will bloom this spring. If it has green leaves it is alive and will bloom. I just looked at some pictures and I have one that was planted in 2009 and has been there every year. I will have to check in the morning to see if it is coming back this year. I just looked on line and maybe they are not perennial, but just reseeding, but this plant looks older and bigger, not like the seedlings I find and transplant.

 

[digitS']

Like some other big biennials, hollyhocks grow stolons. Sometimes we call these "suckers." They are smaller plants that may surround the larger parent.

First attached, they take on a separate life of their own.

Foxglove and Canterbury Bells also do this.

Steve

 

[catjac1975]

Mine bloomed for many years and then one year- gone.

 

[Smart Red]

Mine bit the dust (literally) in the drought of 2012.